Machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs



April 3, 1934.

R. G. KNOWLAND ET AL 8 MACHINE FOR'FIN'ISHING THE FILE SURFACE OF CARPETS AND RUGS Filed Nov. 18, I931 3 Shets-Sheet 1 //v VENTOR 14 TTORNEY April 3, 1934- R. a. KNOWLAND El AL 1,953,883

MACHINE FOR FINISHING THE FILE SURFACE OF CARPETS AND vHUGS FiledNov. 18. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTDRNEY April 3, 93 R. e. KNOWLAND ET AL 53,883

MACHINE FOR FINISHING THE FILE SURFACE OF CARPETS AND HUGS Filed Nov. 18, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 3, 1934 UNITED? MACHINE FOR" FINISHING THE PILE SURFACE OF CARPETSAND RUGS Richard GrKnowlandpLongmeaddw;Massu and:

Wellesley, Bd Co'oper,-;Amsterdam,-: N. Y., 33-

signorsw-to Bigelow-Sanfo'rd:CarpcbCo Inc., Thompsonvillc, Conn a. corporation-of Massa-z chusetts Application November 18," 1931; Serial-No'.="575,766

15 lClaimsn This invention relates'to'machines" forttreatr' ing and finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs to more-effectively eliminate the row appearanceof the-pile forming tufts" and provide a better coverage for the'backing fabric."

In pile carpets and rugs as now' commonly" woven the pile surface is formed by rows of twisted pile forming tufts 'securedto and projecting from a backing fabric. The rowarrangement of the pileforming tufts remains more or 'less obthecarpet or rug to thereby vary the pressure of tion" of the carpet or rug andrubbing surface of the rubbing surface upon' the pile duringthe movements of the platen. The effect of the alter nate increase and decrease of the platen pressure-is to first'separa'te the fibresof-the-pile fornring tufts and second to permanently interlockor" jacenttufts that the row appearance of the pilen'iay be eliminated and a more complete coverageof the backingfabric secured.

In its broader aspect a feature of the-=invention consists infeeding the carpet or rug through the A machine by appropriate feeding mechanism and to tension a strip of the carpet'or rug opposite the platenor rubbing surface so that during the the tension of the strip of carpet or rug serves to maintain the pile surfaceof the latter in coact-- ing relationwithcthe rubbing surface.

In effectively separating th'e fibresof the pile forming xtufts and then permanentlyinterlock ing thefibres of adjacent tufts, the present inven tion contemplates a relative adjustmentbetween the plane of the carpet "or rug and rubbing--su-rfelt the fibres of adjacent tufts together.. Where. the'plane of action of the rubbing surface and the plane of the-carpet 'or'rugis' angularly arrangedas contemplated by the. present invention,

an alternate increase and decrease of pressure re V sults between the rubbing surface and thepile forming tufts and area convenient means for carrying this feature into effect the present invention provides for an angular change in the relation of the carpet or rugandrubbing surface and, as

shown in the present instance of the'invention,

this is effected by mounting the rubbingplaten for angular adjustment relative to theplane of the carpet or rug:

The invention and novel features thereof will best'be made clear fromthe following descrip 'tionandaccompanying drawings of one good formthereof;

In the drawingsa- Fig; 1 'is'aperspective view with parts broken away showing-a machine containing the present invention;

Figi-=2 isanenlargedend elevation of one good form of'means for varying the relative inclinathe platen;

Fig. 3' is -a front elevationywith parts in'section, showing more' particularly the details of the platen mounting for angular adjustment; Fi'g.- 4 "is a sectional detail showing one good form of means-for driving 'the platen'actuating mechanism;

Fig-5 is an'enlarged section on the line 5- -5 of Fig; 3;

' Fig. '6 is'a modifiedform" of the platen mounting'for alternately increasing and decreasing the pressureof the rubbing surface against the pile of the carpet or rugduring the movement of the action ofthe'platen the-carpet-may yield'unde'r" aoxthe varying pressures .of the platen-surface while platen;

Fig." 7 is aview similar to Fig; 6; wherein the platenis under-spring ,control for yieldingly increasing 'and'decreasing theplaten pressure; and

Fig; 8 is anenlarged sectional detail of a carpet or rug: showing in'the lower portion thereof the pile surface formed'of twistedtufts and in the upper portion thereof-the separated and interlocked-or'felted'fibers'of "adjacent tufts as a result' of the machine operation.

As hereinbefore noted, the pile tufts of the carpet-or rug 'are first subjected to a heating and moistening mechanism and while the carpet or rug is in a steam saturated condition the run of the carpet which is unsupported by backing is acted upon by the rubbing surface of the platen.

The machine frame for supporting the operating parts may be of any suitable character and as shown in Fig. 1 it consists of the standards 1 surmounted by a member frame 2 and held in appropriate relative positions by the ties or girtns 3 of Fig. 3. I

Supported by the machine frame at one end thereof is a guide member a constituted. asa roller over which the carpet or rug passes from any suitable supply, and at the opposite end of the machine is a roller 5 under which the carpet or rug passes to the means for progressing the fabric through the machine.

As one good form of means for heating and moistening the pile surface of the carpet or rug a steam box or chamber 6 is'mounted between the rollers 4 and 5, and within the chamber 6 are the steam pipes '7, having openings 8 which are directed laterally of the steam chamber to avoid projecting the steam directly upon the carpet or rug which might have the effect of discoloring it.

The steam chamber 6 may be supported from the machine frame in any convenient manner-"and as shown is held in position by hangers 9 which extend under the steam box and have upwardly extending portions formed with hooks, as shown in Fig. l, to engage the cross bars 10.

The steam box 6 is provided with perforated plate 11 above the steam pipes and during the machine operation the carpet or rug F passes above the surface '11 which may serve as a sup port therefor.

In some cases it may be desirable to conduct the steam away from the machine after having performed its heating and moistening function, and to this end the present inventi n shows a hood 12 mounted above the steam box and having an exit opening 13 for the steam. Hater of condensation may be drained from the steam box by any appropriate form opening.

As hereinbefore noted the carpet or rug is progressed through the machine, as indicated inFig. l, and as a good form of means to this end a spiked roller 14 engages the carpet or rug at a point remote from the rubbing platen, with the result that the carpet or rug is drawn from its source of supply and the run thereof between the roller 5 and spiked roller 14 is subjected to tension opposite the rubbing platcnl.

In accordance with the present invention, as shown, the rubbing platen 41. is mounted for angular variation with respect to the pile surface of the carpet or rug being treated, and as one good form of means to this end a shaft 1'! extends transversely of the machine, Figs. 1 and 3, and affords a support for the associated parts including the platen and itsdriving mechanism. The shaft 17 may be conveniently supported on brackets 18, one at each side of the machine, which are bolted at 19 to adjustable angle irons 20 appropriately secured to the machine frame at each side thereof by the bolts 21 which pass through appropriate slots in one flange of the angle irons, the result being that upon manipulation of the bolts 21 the entire mechanism in-,

cluding the shafts l7 and parts carried thereby may be raised or lowered, and in order to facilitate such adjustment of the angle irons 2t adjusting means such as the threaded bolts 22 may be used.

The shaft 17 is mounted for rotative movement in the bearings 23, Fig. 3, and connected to the shaft 17 at one end thereof is a worm wheel 24 which is engaged by the worm 25 formed on a shaft 26 rotatably mounted in bearings 27 on the brackets 18. Secured to the shaft 26 is the hand wheel 28 whereby the worm and perforce the shaft 17 may be turned or adjusted in desirable position to vary the angular relation between the rubbing face of the platen and the pile surface of the carpet or rug under treatment.

Secured to the shaft 17 for rotative movement therewith is the arcuate plate 29 and extending transversely of the machine are the flange beams 33, one at each side of the shaft 17 to provide a space 30 therefor, as indicated in Fig. 5. The flange beams 33 may be conveniently secured to the arcuate plate 29 at one end and have a bearing on the shaft 17 at the opposite end, the construction being such that should the shaft 17 be turned on its axis, by the means hereinbefore described, the flange beams 33 will likewise be turned and as such flange beams 33 afford a support for the rubbing platen operating mechanism, the platen itself will be angularly adjusted relative to the plane of the carpet or rug by the turning movement of the shaft 17.

Mounted upon the flange beams 33 are the bear- 'B l'for the platen operating shafts 16, and as a convenient means for associating the bearings 34 with the flange beams 33 bearing support plates 35 are secured to the flange beams, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 5, and since the flange beams have a recess between the upper and lower flanges thereof filler plates 36 may be secured between the upper and lower flanges of the beams 33, as indi cated in Figs. 3 and 5.

In the present instance of the invention the rubbing platen is given its oscillatory reciprocating movement by eccentrics, of which there may be any suitable number, two being shown in the present instance, each connected to one of the operating shafts 16.

Eachof the shafts 16 is provided with an eccentric 37, which is embraced by eccentric straps 33 and provided with side flanges 39 and is held in projections or blocks 40 secured to the adjacent face of the platen 41. 1

Extending over the eccentrics and preferably over the flanges 39 of the straps are the retaining plates 42, which serve to hold the eccentrics and rubbing platen in operating relation. If desired, sleeves 43 may be interpcsed between each of the bearings 34 and eccentrics 3'? for securing the latter to their operating shafts 16.

The driving means for the eccentrics may be variously contrived, but as shown in the present instance of the invention it comprises the shaft 44, Figs. 1 and 3, mounted in suitable bearings 45 for rotative movement, and the bearings 45 are secured to the flange beams 33, with the result that as the shaft 17 turned the flange beams and perforce the eccentric operating mechanism will likewise move. The operating shafts 16 are actuated from the shaftv 44, in the present instance, by cooperating bevel gears 15, Fig. 1.

It will thus be seen that the flange beams 33 and shaft 17 constitute an adjusting mechanism, which carries the eccentric operating mechanism and platen, so that upon rotation of the shaft 1? the platen may be swung about the shaft 17 as a centre to vary its angular relation to the carpet or rug beingtreated. 1 I

face. of the carpet or rug may be secured in ad- :.hand wheel 28' the angular relation betweenthe platen and plane of the carpet and rug may be changedandthen the parts held in their new pojustecl position, the arcuate-plate 29 is provided with a slot 31 through which passes a'bolt 32 extending through the bearing bracket 18,- with the I resultthatibyloosening the bolt 32 and turning the sition'by the clamping bolt 32.

The :shaft 44 for operating the eccentrics and 10. .platen may be driven through any preferred form of mechanism, but as shown in the present instance of the invention, Fig. 4, the shaft 17 has loosely :mounted thereon the drivingpulley 4'7- which is held in place by a cap-piece 48. The

15.1-hub portion of the driving pulley 47..iselongated,

2oqu-the pulley 47 on the shaft 17 thegear 50 will be rotated and through its .driving connection with w which serves first to'separate the fibres of the as =indicatedin Fig. 4 at 49 and splined to the hub portion 49' is the gearSO which is in driving I engagement with the gear 51 secured to the, shaft- 44;.the construction being such that upon-rotating thegearfil will impart rotative movement to the shaft'i44 and cause the platento be given its rubbing movementregardless of the position of the:

In the construction so far described the 1 rubbing faceof the platen 41 is at right angles to'the axis of itsoperating shaft 16 and by changing the angular relation of the platen withrespect tothe .:c arpet orrugthe action. of the platen will vary in'effect on thepile forming tufts with an alter nate increasing and decreasing pressure. modification indicated in Fig. 6 the rubbing .face

ofthe platen is.angularly related to its operating shaft 16 with the result that on actuationof the eccentrics to impart the oscillatory reciprocating movement to the platen the latter will act with an' alternate increase and decrease of pressure .upon the pile surface of the carpet or rug, a condition.

pile formingtufts, and second to interlock or felt together the fibres of adjacent tufts. condition: may be carried into effect whether. the platen is moved in a direction to untwist the pile forming tufts or otherwise, it is more conducive to the separation of fibres of the tufts by causing the platento move in a direction to remove part or all of the twist in the pileforming tufts.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the platen ...4 1 is underthe infiuence of a spring or. other yieldingmeansto permit the rubbing surface of the platen. to yield during the movements thereof.

As .shown, the rubbingsurface of the platen is pivoted at 52 to a part 53 connected with the eccentricubearing and at its lower portion the rubbing surface of the-platen is under the influence of a spring 54, normally actingto move the-lower portion of the platen towards the 'pile surface being treated. As shown, one end of. the spring 54 bears upon a-projection or bracket 55 secured :to the eccentric bearing,while the other; end of the spring bears upon a projection 56 con-.

nected with theplaten 41*, and in orderto limit the action of the spring upon the platen arod 57 extends through the spring andhas one endconnected to the platen and its other end provided with an ad-justinglnut to limit the actionof the spring.

Ineachof theconstructions shown the platens are so operated that the rotating and reciprocating movement imparted to the platen willserve to remove the twistfrom the yarns 58 and effect a felting of the fibres at the endsof these yarns together, as: will be apparent upon "examining i theupper' tufts of the fabric shown in Fig. 8.

In the fibres ofthe pile forming tufts and second to per-- v manently intermesh or felt together the end porlatter may While this ing tufts, means for causing the rubbing surface 4 '3. In a machine for finishing the pile surface In the form-10f. fabric illustrated the :tuft forms.-

ing yarnsy58 are looped about the uppenweftst59o and these. uppervwefts are'bound to ithe-lower Wefts-GG by chain warps 61 ,.the upper andlower. weft'sbeing separated by the stuffer :warps. 62

The speed at which the platen operating shafts pile surface may have the appearance of: the pile greatlyimproved by. treating the same in accord-* '16:. are rotated'is preferably such that the. platen will exert-repeated rubbing movement upon=eachiv portion? of .the fabric being advanced from the loweraro'ller 5 to the upper spiked roller 14, and the pressure which the platen exerts upon the 'face of .thepile may be varied asdesired.

5 It will'be understood from the foregoing that practically any type of carpet or rug having a ance with the disclosure of the present inven 1 tion.

Therubbing surface of the platen m'ay'be formed bythe surface of the platen itselfxor, as shown'in the'drawings, the rubbing face of theplaten may comprise a covering fabric such for instance as rubber or the like.

What-is "claimed is: I I. In a machine for finishing the pile surface and moistening the pile surface of the carpet or rug, a'rubbing platen having a rubbing surface,- means for bodily moving the platen while in contact with this pile surface to first separatethe tions of the separated fibres while in a heated-and moistcondition to eliminate row effect and grinning through of the backing fabric, and means for changing relatively the plane-of the carpet-or rug and the rubbing surface of the platen that-the act upon the pile surface with varying effect. I

2. In a machinefor finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of pile heating and moistening means, a rubbing'platenhaving a'rubbing surface to act upon the'pilefor'mto move in contact with the pile forming tufts to first separate the fibres of the tufts and second .100 of carpets'and rugs, the combination of a steaming chamber for raising, conditioning, heating to permanently intermesh or felt together fibres of adjacent tufts, and means for progressing and tensioning an unsupportedrun of the carpet or rug in yielding contact with the rubbing surface of the platen due to the tension of the carpet or rug while the pile surface is in a-moist and heated condition.

of carpets and rugs, the combination of pile heating and moistening'means, a rubbing platen" having a rubbing surface to act upon the pile forming tufts, means for causing the rubbing surface to move in contact with the pile forming tufts to first separate the fibres of the tufts and second to permanently intermesh or felt together fibres. of adjacent tufts, and means for'progressing an unsupported run of the carpet or rug by and in yielding contact with "the rubbing surface of the heated condition, and means for ""changing'relativelythe plane of the unsupported runof the carpetor rug and the plane of action of the rubbing surface for varying the rubbing effect upon" the pile surface.

4. Ina machine for finishing the pile surface" of carpets and rugs, the combination of pile heat-, ing and moi'stening means, a rubbing platen having a rubbing surface to actupon'the pile forming" tufts, .means for causing the rubbing surface to move in contact with the pile forming tufts to first separate the fibres of the tufts and second to permanently intermesh or felt together fibres of adjacent tufts, and means for guiding and feeding a portion of the unsupported carpet or rug in a stretched condition opposite the rubbing surface that the degree of tension on the carpet or rug alone may retain the carpet or rug in yielding engagement with the surface of the rubbing platen.

5. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of means for heating and moistening the pile surface, a platen having a rubbing surface, means for operating the platen to effect a rubbing action upon the pile forming tufts for separating the fibres thereof and interlocking or felting the fibres of adjacent tufts together permanently, and means for varying the plane of action of the platen upon the pile surface to alternately increase and decrease its pressure upon the pile surface during the platen movement.

6. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of means for heating and moistening the pile surface, a platen having a rubbing surface, means for operating the platen to effect a rubbing action upon the pile forming tufts in a direction to remove twist therefrom and for separating the fibres thereof and interlocking or felting the fibres of adjacent tufts together permanently, and means for varying the plane of action of the platen upon the pile surface to alternately increase and decrease its pressure upon the pile surface during the platen movement.

'7. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of means for heating and moistening the pile forming tufts to condition them, a platen having a rubbing surface to act upon the pile forming tufts, means for imparting a movement to the platen to first untwist and separate the fibres of the pile forming tufts and second to interlock or felt together the end portions of the fibres in adjacent tufts, and means for supporting the platen so that its pile engaging surface is at an angle to the pile surface that the pressure of the rubbing surface of the platen upon the tufts may increase and diminish during the movement of the platen.

8. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of means for heating and moistening the pile surface, a platen having a rubbing surface inclined to the plane in which the platen is moved to vary the pressure on the pile surface during the rubbing movements of the platen, and means for im parting bodily movements to the platen to first separate the fibres of the pile forming tufts and second to permanently interlock or felt the fibres of adjacent tufts.

9. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of means for heating and moistening the pile forming tufts of a carpet or rug, a platen having an oscillatory reciprocating movement and provided with a pile rubbing surface inclined to the plane in which the platen moves to vary the rubbing pressure upon the pile during the movement of the platen, and means for operating the platen to first separate the fibres of the pile forming tufts and second to permanently interlock the end portions of the fibres of adjacent tufts to eliminate row effects and increase the coverage of the backing fabric.

10. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of means for heating and moistening the pile forming tufts of a carpet or rug, a platen having an oscillatory reciprocating movement and provided with a pile rubbing surface yieldingly supported in a position inclined to the plane in which the platen moves to vary the rubbing pressure upon the pile during the movement of the platen, and means for operating the platen to first separate the fibres of the pile forming tufts and second to permanently interlock the end portions of the fibres of adjacent tufts to eliminate row effects and increase the coverage of the backing fabric.

11. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of, means for heating and moistening the pile forming tufts of a carpet or rug, a platen having an oscillatory reciprocating movement and provided with a pile rubbing surface inclined to the plane in which the platen moves to vary the rubbing pressure upon the pile during the movement of the platen, yielding means acting upon the rubbing surface of the platen to permit automatic variation in the inclination of said surface during the platen movement and means for operating the platen to first separate the fibres of the pile forming tufts and second to permanently interlock the end portions of the fibres of adjacent tufts to eliminate "row effects and increase the coverage of the backing fabric.

12. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of means for heating and moistening the yarns forming the pile, a rubbing member for the pile surface of the carpet or rug, shafts for supporting the rubbing member for angular adjustment and sliding movement over the face of the pile in a direction to first untwist the pile yarns and second to interlock or felt the fibres of the yarns together while in a heated and moist condition, and a frame for supporting said shafts for angular adjustment about a central axis extending at right angles to said shafts.

13. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of means for heating and moistening the yarns forming the pile, a rubbing member for the pile surface of the carpet or rug, shafts for supporting the rubbing member for angular adjustment and sliding movement over the face of the pile in a direction to first untwist the pile yarns and second to interlock or felt the fibres of the yarns together while in a heated and moist condition, a frame for supporting said shafts for angular adjustment about a central axis extending at right angles to said shaft, and means movable about said central axis for driving said shafts.

14. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of means for heating and moistening the yarns forming the pile a platen for rubbing the pile surface of the carpet or rug, shafts provided with eccentrics for operating the platen in contact with the face of the pile to first untwist the pile yarns and second to interlock or left the fibres of the yarns together while in a heated and moist condition, and a frame for supporting the shafts for angular adjustment about a central axis extending at right angles to the shafts.

15. In a machine for finishing the pile surface of carpets and rugs, the combination of a steam chamber, means for feeding and guiding a carpet or rug through said chamber and presenting a tensioned and unsupported run thereof outside of said chamber, a platen having a pile rubbing surface located between the feeding and guiding means to act up\m the unsupported tensioned run of the carpet or rug so that the tension of the carpet or rug alone will yieldingly hold the carpet or rug in contact with the rubbing surface of the platen, and means for moving the platen in an oscillatory reciprocating path in contact with the pile to first separate the fibres of the pile forming tufts and second to permanently interlock or felt the ends of the fibres in adjacent tufts to eliminate row effect and increase the coverage of the backing fabric.

RICHARD G. KNOWLAND.

WELLESLEY B. COOPER. 

